Manchester United's Cautious Approach with Lisandro Martinez's Return
Manchester United is taking a cautious approach regarding Lisandro Martinez's return from knee surgery, despite head coach Ruben Amorim expressing his satisfaction at having the tenacious defender back in training.
The Argentine center-back has been sidelined since February due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained during a home defeat to Crystal Palace.
This injury marks the fourth significant setback for the 27-year-old since joining United from Ajax in the summer of 2022, following earlier knee issues and two major foot injuries that have limited him to 52 Premier League appearances.
Given this history, Amorim is unwilling to grant the player's wish for an immediate return for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 1. "He wants to play in this match," the United manager stated. "However, he will not be participating; we are focused on a gradual recovery."
Martinez has begun training with the squad, but adjustments to his exercises have been necessary to ensure a safe return to fitness. "He will improve at a steady pace," Amorim added.
Amorim previously noted that his squad was "starved" of leaders, so having Martinez, a member of his six-man leadership group, back in the fold is a significant boost for the team. "He brings an edge to every training session, which is very beneficial for us," he remarked.
Amorim Responds to Dyche's 4-4-2 Comments
The upcoming match at the City Ground marks the first encounter between Amorim and Sean Dyche since the new Forest manager suggested earlier this year that he could have secured more victories at United simply by employing a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
In a podcast discussion with Sam Allardyce, Dyche acknowledged that Amorim was fortunate to have retained his position following a disappointing season that saw United finish 15th in the Premier League. "They keep talking about the philosophy, but it isn’t working," Dyche said, reflecting on United's struggles at that time with just 27 points from 28 league matches.
When Amorim was asked about Dyche's comments during a press conference ahead of the Forest game, he expressed understanding for Dyche's perspective. "It may be true that we would have won more games playing 4-4-2, but I have always maintained that my style of play requires time to develop," he countered.
Amorim also acknowledged Dyche's expertise, stating, "I can appreciate that he is a clever manager who understands how to navigate the game. As a pundit, strong opinions are essential; I share that view. However, I recognize that coaching is a different challenge altogether."